Electric feeler mechanism for looms



Feb. 10, 193:11 s. o. DODGE v1,791,557

ELCTRIC FEELER IECHANISI FOR LOGIS Filed rh 4. 1930 l? "UU @A7 UO 7 T Sherwood d ofge.

Patented Feb. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHERWOOD 0. DODGE, OF MEIDFORI)y MASSACHUSETTS, .ASSIGNOR T0 H. F. LIYBMORE CO.y OF AVLLSTON, MASSACHUSETTSl A CORPORATION 0F MASSACHUSETTS mandarme` FEELER MECHANISM ron Looms Application filed March 4,

This invention relates to an improvement in electric feeler mechanisms for looms and particularly to an improved electric contact member therefor. p

Electric feelermechanisms of the type that are provided for the purpose of detecting thel fact that a bobbin is substantiallyr exhausted of filling are often placed under an undue strain because of the fact that if there is a tendency for the shuttleto rebound withl the feeler members in contact with the filling, a lateral pressure is imparted to the end portions of said feeler members tending to bend the same and therefore place an excessive amount of wear both upon said members and also upon the bearings in which they are mounted.

The object of this invention is to provide an electric feeler mechanism embodying therein a pair Vof electric contact members each embodying therein a plurality ofparts, one of said parts comprising a tip portion for another part and having a universal lateral movement relatively thereto, whereby if there is a tendency for the shuttle to rebound, the

tip portion will flex laterally without causing any excess strain upon the other part, or upon the bearing in which it is mounted.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved tip for an electric feeler member which will be extremely effective in detecting the lack of filling upon the bobbin.

The invention consists in an improved electric feeler mechanism for looms as set forth in the following specification and particularly as pointed out in the claims thereof.

Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 represents a plan view of a feeler mechanism embodying my invention, a portion of a bobbin with the filling thereon being illustrated in connection therewith.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the detecting end portion of one of the electric contact or feeler members.

Fig. 3 is an end view of an electric contact member.

Like numerals refer to like parts through out the several views of the drawings.

In the drawings, 5 represents a bracket constructed of insulating material and adapted 1930. Serial No. 433,050.

to be secured at a suitable location on the frame of a loom by means of bolts6 and 7. Detachably mounted in the bracket 5 are metallic bearing members 8 and 9 which also function as conducting members for an electric current.

The bearing members 8 and 9 are positioned parallel to each other in the bracket 5 and are held f ecurely clamped therein by mea-ns of nuts 10 and 11 respectively. The bearing member 8 is electrically connected with the bolt 6, in order that an electric current passing therethrough may be grounded upon the frame of the loom by means vof a plate 12, a portion 13 yof which is clamped in contact with the bearing member 8 by means of the nut 10, while the main portion of saidfplate is inserted beneath the head of the bolt 6. The bearing member 9 is electrically connected to a plate 14 having a portion 15 thereof inserted between the nut 11 anda portion of the bracket 5, and an electric Wire 16 is connected to the plate 14 by means of a binding screw 17.

An electric contact or feeler member 18 is slidably mounted in each of the bearing members 8 and 9 and each of said contact members embodies therein a rod 19, a tip portion 2O and an intervening helical spring 21, said spring permitting the tip -20 to be sprung laterally of the rod 19 in any direction and also makingl it possible for said tip to be rotated a limited amount independently of the rod 19 and be moved longitudinally of said rod. The outer end portion of the rod 19 is screw threaded at 22 and has a collar 23 mounted upon said screw-threaded portion. A helical spring 24 is mounted upon the rod 19 and is interposed between the collar 23 and theextremity of the bearing member in which the rod 19 is slidably mounted. The tip 20 is screw threaded at 25.

The spring 21, which constitutes a flexible connectionbetween the rod 19 and tip 20 isv mounted upon the screw-threaded portions 22 and 25 of the rod 19 andtip 20 respectively, the convolutions of the spring being located Within the grooves of the screw threads. Finally, the end portions ofthe spring 21 are secured. to the screwfthreaded portions 22 and 25 by having solder applied thereto at 26 and 2 7 respectively.

The outer end portion of the tip 20 is provided with grooves 28 which extend transversely thereacross at right angles to each other, thereby forming four Contact points 29. A shouldered portion 30, constituting a stop, is provided at the opposite end of the rod 19 from that to which the tip portion 20 is secured, for the purpose of limiting` the movement oi the rod 19 toward a bobbin 31, a portion only of which is shown, it being understood that the bobbin is located in a suitable shuttle which in turn is mounted upon a lay.

The bobbin 31 is wound with filling 32 and the portion of the bobbin that is engaged by the contact members or feelers 18 is covered with a metallic coating capable oit' conducting electricity and completing lan electric circuit from one tip 2O to the other tip when the lilling becomes so nearly exhausted upon the-bobbin that the contact points 29 or" both tips Contact with the metallic coating 38.

The general operation of the mechanism hereinbefore specifically described is as tollows During alternate beat-up movements of the lay'a shuttle with a bobbin 31 mounted therein will be located at the plain end of the lay as the latter reaches the limit of its beatup stiolre,'and at this time the contact points 29 of both of the tips 2O will contact with the filling 32 upon the bobbin 3l.` lf, during the time that vthe contact Vpoints 29 are in contact with the filling` 32, there is any longitudinal movement of the bobbin tending` to spring the tips 20 laterally of the rods 19, this can be accomplished without any undue strain being placed upon the rods 19, because ot the tact that the springs 21 are interposed between the tips 2O and the rods 19.

The rods 19 are mounted in their respective bearing members to both slide longitudinally therein and rotate therein, and it is evident that no matter what position the tip 2O is located in, it may be flexed laterally with respect to the rod 19. Furthermore, by formingy the extremity of the tip 2O as illustrated, Vand thereby providing a plurality of contact points 29, it is evident that when the filling upon the bobbin becomes substantially ef;- hausted that at least one of the points ot each of the tips 2O will Contact with the metallic coating 33 upon the bobbinand thereby complete an electric circuit from one tip 20 through the metallic coating to the other tip, with the result that an electric circuit through the ieeler mechanism will cause a suitable mechanism to be actuated to either stop the loom in order that the bobbin may be replaced manually, or that a suitable bobbin replenishing;r mechanism may be actuated to replace the bobbin automatically- I claim:

1. In a feel er mechanism for looms an electric contact member embodying therein two parts, spaced apart longitudinally, and tlexible means interposed between said parts and perinittino' a lateral movement oi one relative to the other.

3. ln ateeler mechanism tor looms an electric Contact member embodying` therein two parts, spaced apart longitudinally, and a spring attached to the adjacent ends of both of said parts and permitting a lateral movement ot one relative to the other.

L1. ln a feeler mechanism for looms an electric contact member embodying therein a plurality oi parts, one of said parts being4 adapted to be ileXe-d laterally with respect to another or" said parts and having a plurality ot contact points thereon.

5. ln a eeler mechanism tor looms an electric contact member embodying therein a plurality ot parts, one of said parts being adapted to be iieXed laterally with respect to another ot said parts andbeing provided with intersecting grooves in its outer extremity, whereby a plurality of contact points are orn'iedthereon. Y

6. A eelermechanism tor looms having, in combination, a bracket, an electric contact member yieldingly mounted on said bracket and embodying,` therein two parts,spaced apart longitudinally, and a flexible member securing said parts together and permitting a lateral movement of one relatively to the other.

. ln testimony whereor" have hereunto set mv hand; v

J snnnwoon o. Denen.

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